It’s Not About Me

“Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.”
Psalm 148:13

Some of my Girlfriends in God are not going to like this blog post. I’m not even sure I do. But I’m going to put it out there anyhow. During the month of February, I write devotions and blog posts on marriage. It is the month of love, and marriages certainly are in shambles all around the world. Each February, I am flooded with e-mails: some are appreciative for the reminders on how to love their husbands; some are filled with hurt because they are in their own struggling marriage, and some are broken-hearted because of shattered dreams. These women are so thankful for the balm of God’s truth in a very tender area of their lives. But I also receive e-mails from women who are not married, who do not like the attention to marriage at all. They are flat out angry and frustrated because the posts do not pertain to them. “Don’t you know that all of your readers are not married!”

“Oh honey child,” as my grandmother would say.

I’ve seen the same attitude in church. “I didn’t like that sermon.” “I didn’t like the singing today.” “I couldn’t relate to that teaching.” And on and on we go. You know what I’ve discovered…It’s not about me. It is all about God. If the pastor is preaching on a topic that is not my struggle, I pray that God will open my eyes to new truths that I’ve never seen. If he is talking about losing a loved one, I pray for those who have lost a loved one recently…even though that not might be my struggle at that particular time. Is the teaching on raising young children? I have a grown son, so I pray for those who are raising the next generation.

One Sunday, I was singing in church. Barely singing, I might add. It was a dry old hymn and I just wasn’t into it. Then I looked at an older woman a few seats down and she had tears trickling down her wrinkled cheeks. She was moved to tears by that old hymn and was taken to the throne room of grace.

“Oh Father,” I prayed. “Please forgive me. This is not about me. It’s not about what I like or don’t like. It is all about You. Truth is truth. Worship is worship. Help my focus be on You and You alone. It’s not about me.

Here’s a truth I want you to underline, memorize andponderize (I know that is not a real word, but it should be.) Say it out loud: As long as I think the world is all about me, the angrier and tired-er I will be. The more I realize it is all about God, the happier and freer I will be. (I know tireder is not a word either. I’m just feeling feisty today).

Listen to how David focused on God during worship:
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
Psalm 62:5-8

So let’s commit to remember together…it’s not about me. It’s all about God.

Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, please forgive me when I make everything all about me. It’s all about You! I praise You! I thank You! I worship You!
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn
Here is a fun exercise. Go back and pick out one of your favorite chapters in the Bible. Now, focus on the verses that you DID NOT underline.

Here is a wonderful Psalm to use for your extended prayer time today. Open your Bible to Psalm 136 and pray that prayer of praise with David. Don’t skip over the repeated refrains…His love endures forever! He repeats it for a reason. David meant it. God wants you to get it!

If you’re willing to join hands with me and agree that it is not all about you, but all about God, then leave a comment that says...”It’s all about God!” Woo Hoo! I feel freer just saying it! Give it a try!

Want More?
Did you know that God went to great lengths to set women free! When Jesus came to earth, women were hidden in the shadows of society and treated as property rather than people. But Jesus came to change all that! I invite you to take a look at a video about my book, , and discover some news truths you may not have ever considered before!

57 Responses to It’s Not About Me

to me
Wow, what a truly inspirational devotion this morning! Thank you so much for reminding me that it’s all about GOD – not about me. I have been in church most all of my life but it seems in the last year I have really learned so much about loving God, loving my husband, and being used as a Christian and wife. I am so thankful that God is willing to teach me and put up with my mistakes and failures simply because He loves me so much. My wonderful, loving God held me and loved me during an especially hard time in my life, 2011 and into 2012. He gave me ample time to examine my life and my walk with Him so that I could know Him better and become closer to Him. In the end, it’s all about giving back to others so they can get to know and love my God too. I hope that others see your devotional as a stepping stone to becoming more like Him.

You know Sharon I’m 50 I have never been married but when I listen to sermons, bible studies and even read the bible and they reference married couples, come on folks, be a little more open minded. It’s not all about you but what do you understand in just your basic RELATIONSHIPS – family, friends and most of your relationship with God. Yeh I thought the same thing too, ohh not another talk about mairrage and couples. But then if I was going to sit there and listen about I might as well think deeper. How does what was just said relate to me and my RELATIONSHIP with those in my life. Same thing about talking about your children. I’m a teacher pluse I have many married friend with children and my own nieces and nephews. It is all about God.

Always a much needed message! Thank you 🙂 I love your devotionals and look forward to starting my days with them. Many times they have brought healing to my heart. I always pass them on to my girlfriends…Good News is worth sharing!

Sometimes when I look at my life currently, in comparison to where I think I need to be, I become somewhat discouraged. This teaching reminded me that even when I feel overwhelmed, it’s still……ALL ABOUT GOD! I must remain focused on Him.

I am grateful for you devotions. I thank the Lord that they are on all sorts of various topics. Thank you for sharing and ministering to so many women. I always forward your devotions to many friends and family members. It is God’s Word, so it doesn’t matter what the topic is. Even if the devotional doesn’t necessarily apply to me, I can ALWAYS think of someone to forward it to, who needs just THAT SPECIFIC word of encouragement. !

Thanks again for sharing of yourself. You have touched my life so deeply and are helping me want to be a better woman for God, a better wife for my husband, a better mother for my children, a better sister for my siblings and a better friend to my friends and the friends that I meet that God sends my way!!!!!.

Sharon – This is best and most pertinent devotion I have read in ages!! Thank you!!

Every morning I go to my emails before I do anything else to start the day with God’s words for ME. To see what wisdom He offers ME pertaining to MY struggles and MY worries. To help ME get through MY day. And when I get one that doesn’t pertain to ME at that moment I discard it. Consider it a waste. “That morning devotion doesn’t pertain to ME…what a wasted moment. Now I’m disappointed.That could have been an opportunity for God to instruct and comfort…you guessed it…ME.”

I love your morning devotionals and they have helped me so many times. Thank you for opening my eyes to the needs of others; this reminder was very much needed and gratefully received!

Thanks ever so much for saying what I believe to be true “it is not all about me” I discovered
that a few years ago while listening to those around me express all their negative thoughts and feelings after attending “Worship” a time when I so enjoy reflecting on what was just
preached. What comes to my heart is we are at different stages of our journey and by God’s grace & love hopefully we will get back on the right road leading us to “JESUS”.
May our Lord continue to bless your ministry and to not be afraid in speaking the truth in
His love.

Sharon,
I love this devotion, truly love it!! So many people forget that it’s not all about them in so many different things.. Life in general is about one being, Our Lord and Savior!! God Bless You Sharon for sharing this devotion 🙂

Thank you so much for this! I am a divorced, single mom and just as some of the other comments pointed out, bottom line, God’s Word is truth and addresses it all! We have got to get to the place where we allow the Holy Spirit to give those “flesh checks” revealing to our hearts that if the Word rubs us the wrong way, it really is the Word and not the topic of choice. Our attitude is like an indicator light in a car…saying ‘hey, this still needs to get fixed.’ The sooner we can get wholeness and healing, the sooner we can be in our role in the body of Christ…fulfilling His will of ‘every joint supplying.’ He literally broke Himself for us. At some point we have to put on Christ, take up our cross, and do the will of Him that sent us. The further we go on that beautiful journey, the less and less we will be so self-focused. And the beautiful paradox is that’s where we will find our own healing, living “not my will…..not me, me, me…” Thanks again for demonstrating the love of God thru boldness! It isn’t contradictory – it is crucial!!

I agree with you about it being all about our Lord. I am single and the times I find the sermon or devotions about marriage I try to concentrate on how that applies to all relationships there is always a bit of light there for us all if we just try to hear what God wants us to hear from the message…I bellieve he has us reading or hearing it for a reason. But I think what fustrates alot us single people(the numbers are growing) is that we are often ignored in the messages..and church. We know what it is about but we would like to relate and be included more often. Alot of times that is why singles don’t attend because they think ‘church’ is only for the married.. Thank you for your messages that always hit home!

Amen and Hallelujah, to that message today Sharon. Beginning to today, everytime something doesn’t go my way, or worries me because I dont have the answer or know just what to do at that moment…I pledge to sit back, be quiet, still my mind and remember that IT is NOT about ME!!!!!. As my pastor says, it really is All About HIM!!!!
God Bless you!
Andrea

Lately it is harder somedays than others to deal with our special needs foster son. Especially since he has started more time with his bio parents on visits. All of the hard work we have done with him seems to be undone in less than an hour with one of his bio parents!! This devotional showed me it’s NOT ABOUT ME!! It is ALL ABOUT GOD!! Thanks so much for the much needed reminder!!!

i am repeating to myself somewhat of the same point, because i need to change my selfish heart, and pointed towards God’s will, not my own…i think He’s going to bring some people into my life i’d rather He not, and i’m sure i will fight it, because i have before…but i’m trying to say, “ok…your will not mine”…it’s all about God…

You and your articles form a wellspring of inspiration to me. May you never grow tired of sharing the Lord’s love with others. May He bless you more even as you continue to bless the world with your life.

I begin my day at work with the girlfriends of God devotional. I am always especially touched by the God inspired word though you. God has really anointed you for this ministry. May He continue to use you more and more. I am especially blessed today about the focus on GOD “Its all about God”, I just need to take my eyes off the struggles in life and place my focus on God.

Honestly speaking Sharon, your articles are always timely and each time i read them i see GOD talking to me as an individual which makes me know that HE loves me sooooo much and wants the best for me. I join you to say that its not about me but all about GOD! The ALMIGHTY bless you real good and prosper your home and ministry in JESUS’ name, amen. Thank you for being there.

So true! It’s not all about us it is about God! I feel that you can find a message in any sermon even if at first glance it doesn’t seem to pertain to you but you have to PAY ATTENTION. God isn’t just gonna tell you flat out what he wants you to know, you need to search for it and open your eyes to the truth.

Yes, Lord, it is all about you. Please continue to find in me the elements that are not pleasing to you, and pluck them like weeds. Renew me over and over, Dear Father, and make me to appreciate your love and focus my heart, my soul, my self, all to you, God. Thank You For calling to me that I could be yours. Thank You, Dear God, for the encouragement, set in place by Your grace, that at many times, we all so desperately need. I love You, Father, and Thank YOU for Your Precious Son, our Savior Jesus Christ Whom We Love so much, and it is in his holy name I pray to you, God. Amen.

This is one of the best blogs I have read in a while. Well probably because I hear about this so much! I so agree with you, if we would take our eyes off of us!!! It is all about God, amen. Thank You Jesus!

It is all about God! Woo hoo! And that does free me from thinking that I have to be all things to all people. I can just be who He made me to be. Everything I do and think should be about Him and to His glory. Thank you sooo much for your devotions. They bless me. ( And I like the words you make up too!)

IT’S ALL ABOUT GOD….. Halleluiah, thank you for the word today, yes, many times I fail to acknowledge what God provided for me and my family and many times i just want to tell him what i wanted and have to receive it instantly, yeah praise the Lord, for God has the best decision for us and only the best He provides if we trust and do everything according to what he want. Thank you and bless you heaps.

IT’S ALL ABOUT GOD….. Halleluiah, thank you for the word today, yes, many times I fail to acknowledge what God provided for me and my family and many times i just want to tell him what i wanted and have to receive it instantly, yeah praise the Lord, for God has the best decision for us and only the best He provides if we trust and do everything according to what he wants. Thank you and bless you heaps.

It is all about GOD!!! I’m thankful that the Lord is using you to touch so many lives. Lord, THANK YOU for everything you are doing in my life. I pray that I will remember “IT IS ALL ABOUT YOU LORD” and not anything else.

This is my first time commenting, I always read your articles and hold them dear to my heart and soul. It is not about me, It’s about God. I think that this devotion was well said, because we always want to hear something about us.

Good morning,thank you so much for this article. I’ve been on a spiritual
rollercoaster with this one. Would you pray for me that I get strenghten
in my journey with Christ and others in my life. Offense is one of my
weak areas, may I learn to say out loud: “It’s not about me”, God bless.